Cons

Overall

4.4

A true local’s gem, Loveland Ski Area is one of the highest ski resorts in Colorado, with a free snowcat to take you to the 13,010 ft summit and the resort’s most gnarly terrain! Click into your powder ski’s because the high elevation here means longer seasons and plenty of light fluffy pow. Snowfall comes sooner and stays for longer than other resorts with an impressive 422 in falling per year, the most in the Summit County! It’s also one of the closest ski areas to Denver (53 miles west) and has all the chutes, bowls, steep slopes that’s perfect for powderhounds to get their ski fix!

17/18 Historical Snowfall

February to April

Loveland’s high-altitude means snow is kept fresh longer, which means extended ski seasons are not uncommon (the 2016/17 season finished around mid-May!). The skiing season starts late November but like most resorts, the first few days, weeks, or even month provide spotty conditions with patches of grass peeking through the snow. It’s best to hold off until the later months from February onward to April when there’s a good base of snow coupled with bluebird days. You might also see a bit more skiers on the slopes during March and early April during Spring Break weeks and when the weather becomes a bit milder. The ski area also retains its untouched powder extremely well, perhaps in no small part due to the fact that they experience relatively limited traffic, so there’s plenty of freshies to find all season long. If you want estimates on the choicest bluebird days, the Loveland Ski Area website does a pretty good job of posting up-to-date forecasts for the best skiing conditions.

Dillon (10-15 mi)

For beginners

Loveland Valley is a separate ski area that's packed with groomed mellow terrain for beginners! Most of the more experienced skiers will be shredding the slopes at Loveland Basin, making the wide open slopes at Loveland Valley crowd-free and stress-free for those working on their skills! Once beginner's have mastered the bunny slope near the base, they can head up the mountain and try out Zig Zag, a great "S" shaped progression path.

For intermediates

Intermediates have a wide range options all over Loveland Basin! From groomed trails like Richard's Run to bowls like Bennett's Bowl and even tree-skiing in the north face of the Basin, Loveland has it all! Tickler Gulch and Hook em'Horns (an achievable black run) is our picks for those up for tree-skiing adventure, especially if you like bumps that give enough air to feel like you're flying!

For experts

The Ridge is where it's all for advanced and experts with plenty of gnarly terrain from bowls to chutes; all of the black and double black diamond type! Best of all, there's a FREE snowcat to take you along the Ridge so you can save your energy for shredding the slopes. Velvet Hammer, Field of Dreams, Marmot, Rock Chutes and Super Nova are only some of our favorites for the extreme stuff because there really is just too much to choose from! For off-piste, Cat's Nix Trees is also a favorite!

Insider tips

Find freshies

Snow stays fresher for longer at Loveland, all thanks to its high altitude! Freshies can be found across the mountain and the resort is also never crowded so the good stuff doesn't usually get tracked out. Sunburst Chutes and the North Chutes are especially great for finding stashes after high winds.

Ditch the crowds

Most skiers flock to the larger surrounding ski resorts such Breckenridge so crowds aren't usually an issue here. Chair 2 at Loveland Basin is the most popular chair as it acts as a gateway to a significant portion of the mountain. It's the busiest during lunch hours so avoid it until the rush dies down.

Non skiers

There's not much activities for non-skiers at Loveland but there are plenty of fun things to do around the Summit County. Shop til you drop at the Outlets at Silverthorne or perhaps give fly fishing a go on the Blue River! There's also tubing at Keystone or dogsledding at Breckenridge.

Families

A local's mountain that's close to Denver and has cheaper lift tickets than larger Colorado ski resorts, Loveland makes for an ideal family-friendly ski destination. For those with beginners and little ones, the small and mellow terrain at Loveland Valley ski area is perfect!

3.5 / 5

Nov 21, 2017

RFRob F.

expert skier

Loveland is hit or miss. It can be really icey and windy, but on a powder day - this place is heaven! It's a got a mega-local vibe. Nothing too fancy. Lifts are slow, but you get what you pay for here. ... More

Superb!

4.6 / 5

Nov 20, 2017

SRScott R.

advanced snowboarder

I've been to pretty much every ski mountain in Colorado & Loveland hands down has the best skiing & riding North of the divide. One of the only free snow cat skiing mountains in Colorado. Only an hour from Denver. ... More

Superb!

4.6 / 5

Nov 20, 2017

JCJackson C.

advanced snowboarder

Loveland Ski Area is the first and highest stop for front range skiers. With some of the best above tree line accessibility in Colorado, loveland offers FREE snowcat rides above 13,000’. I am a Loveland patron for life!... More

Average!

3.1 / 5

Nov 20, 2017

TMTyler M.

intermediate snowboarder

Loveland was awesome last year. There were some days that were solid ice but so many more days amazing snow and chair 8 is like untouched gold theres tons of little side hits and kickers all over but id have to say my favorite of all was definitely sunburst chutes off of chair 4 i earned my wings there ... More

Very Good!

4.1 / 5

Nov 18, 2017

TSTerence S.

intermediate skier

Great resort closest to Denver. Skied it many times when in Colorado. It gets great snow fall. Get early because of the small parking lot. Great price for renting and lift tickets.... More

Superb!

5 / 5

Nov 10, 2017

CCameron

intermediate skier

Only great things to say about Loveland Ski Area! While not the biggest or the “big name” resorts you hear of before moving or visiting Colorado, Loveland has been the hidden gem of I-70 and the high country. I’ve literally skied at least once for every day of the week, and rarely if ever more than 4 people in line. Closest to Denver as far as... More

Good!

3.6 / 5

Nov 10, 2017

EPEric P.

intermediate skier

I love this place! Great value! They have tons of terrain in all skill levels. I️ love the scenery too. You can catch breathtaking views. It is never crowded so lift lines are short.... More

Very Good!

4.1 / 5

Nov 08, 2017

TMTravis M.

intermediate snowboarder

So easy to get to from Denver. Great staff. Can be busy on the weekends but plenty of terrain. I avoided the bulk of the crowd by riding near lift 8. ... More

Good!

3.9 / 5

Nov 07, 2017

PWPeter W.

intermediate skier

While Loveland doesn't have all the amenities of some of the bigger resorts like Vail or Breckenridge, it's a great value for the money. It's big enough that there's a little something for skiers of all experience, and it never gets overly crowded.... More

Fabulous!

4.3 / 5

Nov 05, 2017

JDJeffery D.

intermediate null

Loveland is such a great place with great employees. Never a long wait line for the lifts, especially when the whole mountain is open. There's a little something for every skill levels. I ♡ Loveland.... More